pdf converter missing

Not sure what has caused your issue, but there should be a "Repair" option in the Add/Remove Programs dialogue

Alternatively I actually run a free Print to PDF application (installs as a printer), and allows many variations of output format but primarily PDF - just select the Printer from any app or Application

pdfforge | PDFCreator - Download for free, download pdf printer, pdf writer, pdf maker

Just updated my copy and make sure you choose the advanced install, as the standard will install Avast and other optional PDF tools without asking

Acrobat X is two versions out of date (12 is the current version) and is no longer supported so you need to replace it anyway (keeping it could open you up to malware). However, v12 is cloud and subscription based so I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to update. I recommend PDF Studio Pro as a replacement. It doesn't quite have all the features of Acrobat Pro but it has far more than Acrobat Standard (which I used to use) and may still meet your needs (the website compares it to Acrobat). It costs considerably less than Acrobat Pro (or even Standard), allows two installations per license, has versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and never expires. PDF Studio Pro comes out with a new version roughly every two years but never actually expires so you can safely continue to use out of date versions, unlike Adobe products. Between versions, you still will receive bug and new feature updates. I've been using it for seven months on Win 7, have been very happy with it, and find it a bit easier to use than Acrobat (there is a little bit of a learning curve). It also has a free trial version (same as the full version except it adds a watermark to saved files). Their help desk is a bit slow but it's free and they do a good job, especially compared to Adobe). The only downside I have found to PDFStudio is it doesn't have an add-on for reading/downloading PDFs in IE11 (I got around that by using the free Foxit Reader, which does have the add-on; I never even open Foxit to read PDFs in IE11).

I also recommend PDFCreator. As Nigel (Barman58) pointed out, it's what is known as a virtual printer. It installs like a printer and, to create a PDF, you click on Print and select PDFCreator from the printer selection menu. It then takes the data that normally goes to a printer and uses it to create a PDF. PDFCreator is fast and simple to use. It does have very limited capabilities, though. However, for simple, full page PDFs, it can't be beat for ease of use. I use it for online receipts that can only be sent to a printer rather than downloaded as a PDF. For editing PDFs, creating PDFs from multiple filetypes, etc. I use PDFStudio.

I always say the you need a layered protection strategy on any system these days to protect against the threats present,

The layers should start with a well thought out backup regime this should include the Operating system and programs, and in addition all your data. These days I recommend the use of imaging rather than the traditional file backups of the past. You should also consider storage of at least one backup "off-site", this may be a cloud solution or simply storing a portable drive at a friend or relatives house, or maybe the local bank if they offer this service (the point of this is that your data is safe from Fire, Flood and natural disasters)

In addition to this you should have a software firewall on each system in addition to the full firewall in the internet router.

You then need some form of resident anti malware to protect against and also an offline system to run once a week or so the catch anything that gets through the main defence. I would also suggest with the recent rise in Ransomware attacks, a suitable protection scheme for your data files is recommended.

This may seem very complex and expensive but you have malwarebytes 3 which covers most of it and applications such as Macrium reflect free can handle your Imaging needs.

One of the most important safety device is of course you - Don't surf into the deep depths of the net, where you can pick up nasties.

I am extra careful as I can have other peoples data in my systems so I do use Professional software that I pay for, but you can build a security layer system for nothing that will protect against all but the most extreme targetted attack, but these mostly Target people with a lot of valuable data and it's unlikely to be aimed at the private individual

urbanspaceman1 said:

...Just how vulnerable am I? I use Malwarebytes 3 full feature protection; does this not protect program vulnerabilities?...

Malwarebytes might protect you somewhat but I wouldn't count on it. Security programs, like Malwarebytes, usually only protect against general malware rather than ones targeting security holes in specific programs and Adobe products are notorious for frequently having new security holes being uncovered. This link is for an article pushing an Acrobat replacement but it does a fair job of pointing out the dangers of using an expired version of Acrobat (read the entire article).

urbanspaceman1 said:

I know I should start a new thread here but while I have your attention:
I use Windows Back-up and Restore facility to create a system image and back up all my data onto an external hot-swap HD.
I generally set this running overnight. I keep the HD in a safe location.
It seems inefficient to re-write masses of data over and over again; is there a more efficient way of doing things that would allow a rapid back-up of new data on a daily basis.
Incidentally, when I plug in the hot-swap HD it doesn't get recognized and I have to do a re-start. Am I missing something.
One last question: does the Macrium Reflect Free back up data as well as the OS?

I agree about it being inefficient to keep rewriting data. That's why I always recommend using two different methods of backups, depending on the type of files involved.

Imaging is the best method for backing up System files (OS and programs). I strongly recommend Macrium Reflect Free for imaging over Windows own program (Windows Backup and Restore tends to be a bit temperamental). I also recommend keeping data files segregated from system files. While an imaging program can be used for backing data, it is inefficient, as you have pointed out.

On my desktop machine I have my OS (C:) and System Reserved partition on a 500GB boot drive and my data on four separate 4GB drives. I use Macrium Reflect only to image my boot drive. Many people will use incremental or differential imaging to reduce the space needed for multiple images but I (and many others here on 7 Forums) feel full images are safer. I image my boot drive before downloading and installing program and OS updates and before making any major changes to OS and Program settings.

If you decide to use Macrium Reflect, the very first thing you need to do after installing it is to make some kind of recovery media on either a CD or (my preference) a USB stick (aka thumb drive). This is used for restoring from an image. I suggest making more than one in case the media should ever fail ("stuff" happens).

While imaging can be used for backing up data, again as you pointed out, it is inefficient and slow. For backing up data, I recommend a folder/file syncing program, such as FreeFileSync (FFS). When set to Mirror mode, a folder/file syncing program will compare a source folder (drives are treated like folders) to the folder (or drive) on a destination folder (or drive), then it will copy any new or changed data on the source folder or drive to the destination folder or drive. It will also delete any data on the destination folder or drive that is no longer on the source folder or drive. What you wind up with is essentially a clone of the original folder or drive. Since only files that have been added, changed, or deleted are involved, backup updates are much faster. I use FFS to backup each of my four data drives in my desktop computer.

An optional feature of FFS (which I recommend) is called Versioning. When enabled, Versioning allows FFS to send files deleted from a backup to a user designated versioning folder or drive. This protects you from data loss due to accidental deletions. it also lets you recover earlier versions of files. I use a versioning folder on one of my data drives and keep that drive backed up (I'm also anally paranoid).

I also recommend having more than one backup. Data needs to exist in at least three places to be reasonably safe. For most people, this is on the computer, on a backup drive kept onsite, and on a backup drive kept offsite (such as at a trusted friend's or relative's home, a locked drawer or locker at school or work, or a safe deposit box in the vault of a financial institution; the latter is what I use). Backup drives should be kept powered down and disconnected from the computer except when updating a backup.

What kind of a backup drive are you using? USB? A bare drive plugged into a hot swap bay in the computer?

When using Mirror mode in a folder/file syncing program, the only files that get deleted by the program are on the destination (aka backup) drive and those are only the ones you have already deleted on the source drive. As I mentioned, there is an option to set up versioning in FreeFileSync that will send files that FreeFileSync deletes from the destination drive to a versioning folder so you can recover them later if you ever need to.

Your hot swap bay in your computer probably is either connected to a SATA port that doesn't have hot swap capability or you don't have hot swap enabled in your BIOS. Either would explain why you have to reboot when you insert a drive in the hot swap bay to get it recognized. Try going into your BIOS the next time you reboot and see if you can find a setting for enabling hot swapping.